12/09/2011 - PUT ON THE CLOTHES OF HEAVENS

• 
• 
• 
• 

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

I Thessalonians 5:8

There is a basic difference among human beings: as to the spiritual aspect, some are classified as being of the day and others of the night. Because we were born again after having accepted Jesus as our Savior and also because of the work He did on the Calvary cross on our behalf, we are now children of light – people of the day. Darkness cannot touch us any longer, not even evil powers can rule over us because we are guided by the Spirit of God.
The lost, as the word itself implies, are already lost. We, however, will be greatly harmed if from children of light we are demoted to children of darkness. Therefore, we must be sober, have a balanced life and be watchful so as not to fall for temptations. If, by any chance, we happen to be ensnared by the enemy, we need to go to the feet of the Lord, confess our sin and ask Him for forgiveness.
We must not behave like insensible people, like those who always cause scandals. Before making any decision we must verify whether that decision is contrary to the Word of the Lord and whether it is God or the devil himself who is behind that offer.
The faith that we have received from the Lord, apart from other blessings, works also as a breastplate which we must always wear so that our opponent cannot hit us. If we put on the breastplate of faith, we will not fear the arrows sent by the enemy to hurt us because nothing will be able to go through that divine protection. With that protection, in every way, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).
Apart from the breastplate of faith, there is also that of love; its purpose is not to defend us but to attract the lost. If we wear it, the lost, the needy and all those who suffer will be drawn to the Lord. It is very
strong and its magnetic power is so huge that people see the difference in us and as a result they will also want it. Yet, some people find themselves so stuck in the claws of the enemy that they react in a contrary manner and get enraged by our presence. If we are sensible enough to let the Lord use us, we will see how much it is worth being clothed with those heavenly breastplates.
Over our head there must be the hope of salvation, which serves as a helmet to protect us from malicious attacks; after all, with our mind full of hope, no scheme of Satan against us shall prosper.
The soldiers of the cross must never put Jesus, the Greatest Commander, to shame. If they duly value the protection that the Lord has given them, they will never fail. Therefore, my brethren, be sober when you are clothed with the garments of Heavens and move forward with the purpose of not causing any shame to you and to your dearest ones or to the Kingdom of God.
In Christ, with love,
R. R. Soares